Spotlight Italy: Baroque Architecture

On a trip to Italy, you'll be surrounded by amazing examples of architecture, sculpture, and other art from every period of history, from the Classical to the modern. Some of the most attractive pieces you may be able to visit were designed and built during the Baroque period.

Baroque architecture began in Italy itself during the early seventeenth century. The humanist ideals of the Renaissance were revisited and used in an entirely new way, with buildings focusing on light, color, intensity and other values in ways that had never before been used in architecture.

Unlike the buildings of the Renaissance, which had heavy secular sources of funding and inspiration, the architecture of the Baroque was drawing from the Catholic Church's response to Protestantism, called the Counter Reformation. This explains why the movement had its roots in Italy and spread outward, as well as informing some of the appearance of Baroque architecture.

In general, there were two basic requirements for Baroque architecture in the Italian style. It had to be both a visible show of the Church's power and wealth, as well as more emotionally accessible than the architecture which had preceded it. Though the Baroque style started out as a tool of the Church, it spread through Europe and became more secular by the 1650s.

The Baroque spread initially from the area around Rome, starting in southern Italy. The earliest buildings were based on the nave and crossed dome of the Italian basilica - the Church of Santa Susanna is one of the first buildings in this style and can still be seen today. The structure uses the rules of classical design, but aims to make them more playful.

You'll also see this focus on dramatic effect and continuity in other religious buildings located through out southern Italy. Roman buildings of this period are nearly theatrical. St. Peter's Square is one of the most famous examples of this, shaped by two colonnades and built on a colossal scale that was previously unprecedented.

Important architects in southern Italy at this time included Francesco Borromini, Bernini, Carlo Fontana, and others. Rome continued as the capital of architecture in Europe until the eighteenth century, when it moved on to France.

Visitors to northern Italy will also get to see some of the seventeenth century's most attractive architectural works, built by the House of Savoy in the Baroque style. Juvarra, Vittone, and Guarini were all commissioned to create buildings to emphasize this house's political ambitions and royal status.

Unusual buildings with air detailing, soaring roofs and unconventional facades were created for structures both secular and religious. Anyone visiting northern Italy should take the time to tour some of the existing structures and see what makes them beautiful.

Baroque architecture is just one of the fantastic sight you'll see on a holiday to Italy. If you love history, art and architecture, take the time out of your Roman holiday to visit some of these beautiful and unique structures and learn more about them.

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